Pokemon Go catches residents in downtown Macon

Pokemon is making a comeback in a big way.

The franchise, which became popular in the late 1990s, is on a roll again through the Pokemon Go app. Released July 6, it uses a phone’s GPS to detect where and when the player is in the game. Pokemon “appears” around the player— on the phone screen — and the player “catches” Pokemon by touching the screen. As the player moves around, different and more types of Pokemon may appear.

In Macon, locations such restaurants The Rookery and Parish on Cherry allow users to collect items from the area called a Pokestop. Players then set out to catch Pokemon from a set of more than 150 different characters. The Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base also is getting in on the fun.

Parish on Cherry started a new theme night on Monday that they hope to continue as long as people continue to come, said Emma Darnell, the organizer of PokeMonday at the downtown restaurant located at 580 Cherry St.

“I am really into the game, so when I realized that you could bring a lure module to bring more Pokemon into the area, I thought it would be a good idea to bring in business because we have one right outside the restaurant.” Darnell said.

A lure module is an item in the game that lures in Pokemon to the location that a player is at.

She also came up with themed shots for bar-goers that fit with the three teams that players can choose in the game: red, yellow and blue. The event will be held every Monday from 3-7 p.m. and is during Parish’s happy hour with drink specials. The lure module will be set up for people to catch Pokemon while having dinner.

The first PokeMonday was held this week and several people checked it out, like Macon resident Greg Schoo.

“This is my first time here (at Parish),” he said. “I thought I would come in and have a drink a see if I could catch a couple Pokemon.”

One of the key features for some is the ability to get exercise as well as meet new people while supporting downtown businesses, Skylar Youmans said.

“I came down here to try the new Pokemon Go, it was a series I loved as a child,” he said “It gets me out, gets me active and socializing. It is a good way to have fun with friends and being able to put money into the business and bring more to what Macon can be.”

A Facebook group has already sprung up to spread the word of meet-ups and events for app users.

“We have Pokemon Go-Macon, Georgia, on Facebook already. Those are popping up everywhere,” Youmans said. “People are connecting through social media to get together to have these events.”

While it allows for people to socialize, the goal remains the same for the new Pokemon players, to “catch them all” — the catchphrase of the series — and load up on items for the game.

“I caught a few but not really. I was mainly here for the stop thing to rack up on Pokeballs (the item used to capture the Pokemon).” Youmans said.

The concept behind Pokemon Go is to get players outside their houses while playing the game and not remaining sedentary. Museum of Aviation Foundation President Chrissy Miner said she agrees with the game app’s objective.

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Pokemon Go catches residents in downtown Macon."